Textile finishing agents for imparting a sensory effect during use

ABSTRACT

A method for treating fibers, yarns or textiles to improve the sensory effect for a user or weaver of a fabric article. The method treats the fiber, yarns or textiles with an emulsion containing 15-30% by weight of a mixture of waxes having melting points in the range of 35° C. to 60° C. including a lipophilic wax matrix; 10%-20% by weight of emulsifier which are at least one of alkyl or alkenyl oligoglycosides or alkyl ether sulfates, 1%-10% by weight of a crystal regulator which can be partial esters of C 12-22  fatty acids with at least one of glycerol, polyglycerol and sorbitan. The mean particle size of the wax crystals is not greater than 6 μm. The emulsion includes water and auxiliaries and additives.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371 claiming priority fromapplication PCT/EP2003/014593 filed Dec. 19, 2003, which claims priorityfrom German application DE 103 05 552.5 filed Feb. 10, 2003, the entirecontents of each application are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the finishing of textiles and, moreparticularly, to new treatment preparations which impart a sensoryeffect to fibers, yarns or the textiles made from them during wear, to aprocess for the temporary finishing of these materials and to the use ofspecial mixtures of waxes, emulsifiers and crystallization regulatorsfor the production of such preparations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the most interesting trends in recent years in the textiles fieldhas been the imparting of sensory capabilities to fibers or yarns or theend products made from them. By this is meant that the materials arefinished with predominantly cosmetic active components which arereleased during wear and then develop effects on the skin. For example,ladies' stockings are finished with encapsulated menthol in order toimpart a feeling of freshness, even after prolonged standing, or diapersare coated with aloe vera to prevent irritation of the skin. Now,however, there is a basic interest in finishing textiles with activecomponents which modify the immediate sensory impression of the skin,i.e. for example impart a pleasant smoothness or moisture. A sufficientnumber of suitable substances, namely typical oil components, are knownfor this purpose from the cosmetics field and, by intelligent mixing,for example on the lines of a so-called spreading cascade, are capableof satisfying these requirements, even over a prolonged period. However,the problem lies not so much in the choice of suitable activecomponents, where the expert can be guided by his/her experiences in thecosmetics field, as in the permanent application of these compounds fromaqueous emulsions or dispersions which is not an easy task. Although thecompounds in question can also be used in encapsulated form and themicrocapsules can be anchored between the fibers, this method is stillcomparatively expensive.

Accordingly, the problem addressed by the present invention was toprovide new textile finishing preparations with which active componentswith sensory effects activated by the heat of the skin or by applicationof heat, for example during ironing or in the dryer, could be applied tofibers, yarns or textile materials made from them in a technicallysimple and durable manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to water-based textile finishingpreparations containing

-   (a) waxes with melting points of 35 to 60° C. and preferably 40 to    45° C. which contain a lipophilic wax matrix,-   (b) emulsifiers and-   (c) crystallization regulators.

It has surprisingly been found that the ternary mixtures according tothe invention satisfy the problem stated above with a high degree ofreliability. The preparations may readily be applied from the aqueousphase, the melting point of the sensorially active waxes being selectedso that it is preferably just above the surface temperature of the skin.In this way, the sensory capabilities of these active components aredeveloped immediately on contact with the skin through the co-operationbetween the skin temperature and the mechanical friction between textileand skin. The emulsifiers ensure that the waxes insoluble in the aqueousphase are sufficiently emulsified or dispersed in the aqueous phase fora homogeneous preparation to be formed. However, the major contributionto the invention is made by the crystallization regulators, of which thefunction is to ensure that the wax crystals do not become too largeduring the production of the preparations, for example by the PITprocess or by simple mixing of the components above the melting point ofthe waxes and subsequent cooling. The present invention includes theobservation that waxes with a mean particle diameter of more than 6 μmcannot be durably applied to fibers, with the result that the desiredsensory effect is not experienced by the consumer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Lipophilic Waxes

As mentioned above, the choice of the lipophilic waxes in regard to typeis not critical. It is determined by the particular sensory effects tobe produced on the skin, for which purpose the expert can rely largelyon his/her experiences in the cosmetics field. It is appropriate to usewaxes with a melting point just above the temperature of the skinsurface because this ensures that the sensory effect is initiatedimmediately on contact with the skin. Waxes with distinctly lowermelting points are more difficult to incorporate in the formulations andare susceptible to temperature influences in storage; waxes withdistinctly higher melting points are virtually ineffectual on contactwith the skin. An exception would be preparations where the sensoryeffect (for example easy ironing) is initiated otherwise, as in the caseof ironing for example. In this connection, it is appropriate not to usea single wax on its own, but to resort to spreading cascades, i.e. touse waxes which produce different sensory impressions and/or needdifferent times to be activated. In this way, the intended effect can bemade to last a long time (controlled release effect). It is alsopossible to combine waxes which only have the required melting range inthe mixture. As already mentioned, however, the expert can call onhis/her specialist knowledge for this purpose or can create formulationsin the course of routine optimization without having to become involvedin any inventive activity. Further assistance is provided by theFormulation Examples which are part of this specification.

Fatty Acid Polyol Esters

-   -   In a first embodiment of the present invention, the lipophilic        waxes which form component (A) are mono- and/or diesters of        C₆₋₂₂ fatty acids and C₂₋₁₅ polyols containing at least two        hydroxyl groups.    -   The fatty acid component of these esters may be derived, for        example, from caproic acid, caprylic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid,        capric acid, lauric acid, isotridecanoic acid, myristic acid,        palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid,        oleic acid, elaidic acid, petroselic acid, linoleic acid,        linolenic acid, elaeostearic acid, arachic acid, gadoleic acid,        behenic acid and erucic acid and technical mixtures thereof. The        fatty acids are preferably saturated C₁₆₋₁₈ fatty acids such as,        for example, palmitic acid, stearic acid or technical mixtures        thereof.    -   On the other hand, the esters may be derived from polyols        selected from the group consisting of glycerol; alkylene glycols        such as, for example, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol,        propylene glycol, butylene glycol, hexylene glycol and        polyethylene glycols with an average molecular weight of 100 to        1,000 dalton; technical oligoglycerol mixtures with a degree of        self-condensation of 1.5 to 10 such as, for example, technical        diglycerol mixtures with a diglycerol content of 40 to 50% by        weight; methylol compounds such as, in particular, trimethylol        ethane, trimethylol propane, trimethyol butane, pentaerythritol        and dipentaerythritol; and lower alkyl glucosides, more        particularly those containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms in the alkyl        group, such as methyl and butyl glucoside for example.    -   In a preferred embodiment of this variant, component (a) is a        mono- and/or diester of saturated C₁₆₋₁₈ fatty acids with        ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, trimethylol propane or        pentaerythritol and, more particularly, glycol mono- and/or        distearate which is commercially available, for example, under        the name of Cutina® AGS (Cognis).

Other Suitable Lipophilic Waxes

-   -   In a second embodiment of the present invention, component (a)        may be another typical fatty compound selected from the group        consisting of fatty alcohols, fatty ketones, fatty ethers, fatty        carbonates, fatty acid alkyl esters, with the proviso that the        fatty acyl group contains at least 12, preferably at least 14        and more particularly at least 16 carbon atoms and the        temperature conditions mentioned at the beginning are satisfied.    -   Typical examples are the fatty alcohols cetyl alcohol, stearyl        alcohol, isostearyl alcohol and behenyl alcohol and the        technical mixtures thereof which, from their production, may        also contain small quantities of unsaturated homologs, but        preferably have iodine values of at most 40, but preferably        below 10. Examples of suitable fatty ketones are laurone and        stearone while examples of fatty ethers and fatty carbonates are        dicetyl ether, distearyl ether, dicetyl carbonate and distearyl        carbonate. So far as the fatty acid alkyl esters are concerned,        suitable types are primarily those where the total number of        carbon atoms in the acyl and alkyl groups is at least 20,        preferably at least 24 and more particularly at least 30.        Typical examples are myristyl palmitate, cetyl palmitate,        stearyl stearate, behenyl isostearate and the like. However,        particularly high-melting ester waxes may be mixed with        low-melting homologs which would not be suitable on their own.    -   Alternatively, paraffins, sterols, squalane, squalene, shea        butter, evening primrose oils, shorea waxes and the like may        also be used as component (a).

Typically, the preparations according to the invention contain component(a) in quantities of 15 to 30 and, more particularly, 20 to 25% byweight.

Emulsifiers

The function of the emulsifiers is, self-evidently, to emulsify ordisperse the fine wax crystals and hence to ensure that a homogeneouspreparation is present and that the solids do not sediment for example.Basically, both nonionic and anionic surfactants may be used for thispurpose. Thus regarded, the choice of suitable emulsifiers may alsoappear uncritical. However, it has been found that the correctcombination of emulsifier and crystallization regulator togethercontributes to the formation of particularly fine particles whichconsiderably facilitates the absorption of the wax crystals onto thefibers.

Nonionic Surfactants

-   -   Typical examples of suitable substances which form component (b)        are nonionic surfactants selected from the group consisting of        fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers, alkylphenol polyglycol ethers,        fatty acid polyglycol esters, fatty acid amide polyglycol        ethers, fatty amine polyglycol ethers, alkoxylated        triglycerides, (hydroxy) mixed ethers and mixed formals,        alk(en)yl oligoglycosides, fatty acid-N-alkyl glucamides,        protein hydrolyzates, polyol fatty acid esters, sugar esters,        sorbitan esters, polysorbates and amine oxides.    -   As mentioned above, selected emulsifiers have advantageous        properties in regard to the formation of particularly fine wax        crystals. Emulsifiers such as these are, primarily, alkyl and/or        alkenyl oligoglycosides corresponding to formula (I):        R¹O-[G]_(p)  (I)    -    in which R¹ is an alkyl and/or alkenyl group containing 4 to 22        carbon atoms, G is a sugar unit containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms        and p is a number of 1 to 10. They may be obtained by the        relevant methods of preparative organic chemistry. The alkyl        and/or alkenyl oligoglycosides may be derived from aldoses or        ketoses containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms, preferably glucose.        Accordingly, the preferred alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycosides        are alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglucosides. The index p in general        formula (I) indicates the degree of oligomerization (DP), i.e.        the distribution of mono- and oligoglycosides, and is a number        of 1 to 10. Whereas p in a given compound must always be an        integer and, above all, may assume a value of 1 to 6, the value        p for a certain alkyl oligoglycoside is an analytically        determined calculated quantity which is generally a broken        number. Alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycosides having an average        degree of oligomerization p of 1.1 to 3.0 are preferably used.        Alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycosides having a degree of        oligomerization of less than 1.7 and, more particularly, between        1.2 and 1.4 are preferred from the applicational point of view.        The alkyl or alkenyl radical R¹ may be derived from primary        alcohols containing 4 to 11 and preferably 8 to 10 carbon atoms.        Typical examples are butanol, caproic alcohol, caprylic alcohol,        capric alcohol and undecyl alcohol and the technical mixtures        thereof obtained, for example, in the hydrogenation of technical        fatty acid methyl esters or in the hydrogenation of aldehydes        from Roelen's oxosynthesis. Alkyl oligoglucosides having a chain        length of C₈ to C₁₀ (DP=1 to 3), which are obtained as first        runnings in the separation of technical C₈₋₁₈ coconut oil fatty        alcohol by distillation and which may contain less than 6% by        weight of C₁₂ alcohol as an impurity, and also alkyl        oligoglucosides based on technical C_(9/11) oxoalcohols (DP=1        to 3) are preferred. In addition, the alkyl or alkenyl radical        R¹ may also be derived from primary alcohols containing 12 to 22        and preferably 12 to 14 carbon atoms. Typical examples are        lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, palmitoleyl        alcohol, stearyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol,        elaidyl alcohol, petroselinyl alcohol, arachyl alcohol, gadoleyl        alcohol, behenyl alcohol, erucyl alcohol, brassidyl alcohol and        technical mixtures thereof which may be obtained as described        above. Alkyl oligoglucosides based on hydrogenated C_(12/14)        cocoalcohol with a DP of 1 to 3 are preferred.

Anionic surfactants

-   -   Other typical examples of suitable substances, which        alternatively form component (b), are anionic surfactants        selected from the group consisting of soaps, alkyl        benzenesulfonates, alkane sulfonates, olefin sulfonates, alkyl        ether sulfonates, glycerol ether sulfonates, α-methyl ester        sulfonates, sulfofatty acids, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether        sulfates, glycerol ether sulfates, hydroxy mixed ether sulfates,        monoglyceride (ether) sulfates, fatty acid amide (ether)        sulfates, mono- and dialkyl sulfosuccinates, mono- and dialkyl        sulfosuccinamates, sulfotriglycerides, amide soaps, ether        carboxylic acids and salts thereof, fatty acid isethionates,        fatty acid sarcosinates, fatty acid taurides, N-acylamino acids,        alkyl oligoglucoside sulfates, protein fatty acid condensates        and alkyl (ether) phosphates.    -   Alkyl ether sulfates which have been found to be particularly        advantageous are those which preferably correspond to formula        (II):        R²O(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)—SO₃X  (II)    -    in which R² is a linear or branched, aliphatic alkyl and/or        alkenyl group containing 6 to 22 and preferably 12 to 18 carbon        atoms, n is a number of 1 to 10 and preferably 2 to 5 and X is        an alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal, ammonium,        alkylammonium, alkanol-ammonium or glucammonium. Typical        examples of alkyl ether sulfates which may be used in accordance        with the invention are the sulfation products of addition        products of, on average, 1 to 10 and more particularly 2 to 5        mol ethylene oxide onto caproic alcohol, caprylic alcohol,        capric alcohol, 2-ethylhexyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl        alcohol, cetyl alcohol, palmitoleyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol,        isostearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, elaidyl alcohol, petroselinyl        alcohol, arachyl alcohol, gadoleyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol and        erucyl alcohol and technical mixtures thereof. The sulfation        products may advantageously be used in the form of their alkali        metal salts and, more particularly, their sodium salts.

The emulsifiers of component (b) are present in the preparations inquantities of normally 10 to 20% by weight and preferably 12 to 18% byweight.

Crystallization Regulators

As explained at the beginning, the presence of crystallizationregulators is crucially important to the application of the technicalteaching. This is because, in their absence, wax crystals with meandiameters (d50 value) of 10 μm and more are formed during the productionof emulsions or dispersions and generally cause the preparations toassume a pearlescent appearance. Although such preparations are notwithout effect, they do not adequately solve the problem addressed bythe invention because they do not remain on the fibers long enough orreliably enough to initiate sensory effects thereon. This is onlyachieved with crystals which have a mean particle size of or below 6 μm,preferably 4 to 5 μm, the diameter being determined by light scatteringor preferably by microscopy. Crystallization regulators which reliablyguarantee this property of the preparations according to the inventionare nonionic surfactants that are distinguished by an HLB value of orbelow 9 and preferably in the range from 4 to 6. Typical examples ofcrystallization regulators which satisfy this requirement are partialesters of C₁₂₋₂₂ fatty acids with glycerol, polyglycerol and/orsorbitan.

Partial Glycerides

-   -   Typical examples of suitable partial glycerides are        hydroxystearic acid monoglyceride, hydroxystearic acid        diglyceride, isostearic acid monoglyceride, isostearic acid        diglyceride, oleic acid monoglyceride, oleic acid diglyceride,        ricinoleic acid monoglyceride, ricinoleic acid diglyceride,        linoleic acid monoglyceride, linoleic acid diglyceride,        linolenic acid monoglyceride, linolenic acid diglyceride, erucic        acid monoglyceride, erucic acid diglyceride, tartaric acid        monoglyceride, tartaric acid diglyceride, citric acid        monoglyceride, citric acid diglyceride, malic acid        monoglyceride, malic acid diglyceride and technical mixtures        thereof which may still contain small quantities of triglyceride        from the production process.

Sorbitan Esters

-   -   Suitable sorbitan esters are sorbitan monoisostearate, sorbitan        sesquiisostearate, sorbitan diisostearate, sorbitan        triisostearate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan sesquioleate,        sorbitan dioleate, sorbitan trioleate, sorbitan monoerucate,        sorbitan sesquierucate, sorbitan dierucate, sorbitan trierucate,        sorbitan monoricinoleate, sorbitan sesquiricinoleate, sorbitan        diricinoleate, sorbitan triricinoleate, sorbitan        monohydroxystearate, sorbitan sesquihydroxystearate, sorbitan        dihydroxystearate, sorbitan trihydroxystearate, sorbitan        monotartrate, sorbitan sesquitartrate, sorbitan ditartrate,        sorbitan tritartrate, sorbitan monocitrate, sorbitan        sesquicitrate, sorbitan dicitrate, sorbitan tricitrate, sorbitan        monomaleate, sorbitan sesquimaleate, sorbitan dimaleate,        sorbitan trimaleate and technical mixtures thereof.

Polyglycerol Esters

-   -   Typical examples of suitable polyglycerol esters are        Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate (Dehymuls® PGPH),        Polyglycerin-3-Diisostearate (Lameform® TGI), Polyglyceryl4        Isostearate (Isolan® GI 34), Polyglyceryl-3 Oleate,        Diisostearoyl Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate (Isolan® PDI),        Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate (Tego Care® 450),        Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax (Cera Bellina®), Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate        (Polyglycerol Caprate T2010/90), Polyglyceryl-3 Cetyl Ether        (Chimexane® NL), Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate (Cremophor® GS 32)        and Polyglyceryl Polyricinoleate (Admul® WOL 1403), Polyglyceryl        Dimerate Isostearate and mixtures thereof. Examples of other        suitable polyolesters are the mono-, di- and triesters of        trimethylol propane or pentaerythritol with lauric acid,        cocofatty acid, tallow fatty acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid,        oleic acid, behenic acid and the like optionally reacted with 1        to 30 mol ethylene oxide.

The preparations contain the crystallization regulators in quantities oftypically 1 to 10 and more particularly 2 to 5% by weight.

Textile Finishing Preparations

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the textilefinishing preparations contain

-   (a) 15 to 30 and preferably 20 to 25% by weight of waxes with    melting points of 35 to 60° C. and preferably 40 to 45° C. which    contain a lipophilic wax matrix,-   (b) 10 to 20 and preferably 12 to 18% by weight of emulsifiers and-   (c) 1 to 10 and preferably 2 to 5% by weight crystallization    regulators,    with the proviso that the quantities shown add up to 100% by weight    with water and typical auxiliaries and additives. The solids content    is typically from 40 to 50% by weight and more particularly from 42    to 45% by weight. A combination of emulsifiers of the alkyl and/or    alkenyl oligoglycoside type with crystallization regulators of the    partial glyceride type has proved to be particularly advantageous.    Among the waxes, glycol mono- and/or distearates are particularly    suitable. Corresponding preparations are commercially available, for    example, under the name of Lamesoft® FO (Cognis).

The present invention also relates to a process for finishing fibers,yarns and textile materials in which the fibers, yarns and textilematerials are treated with an aqueous preparation containing

-   (a) waxes with melting points of 35 to 60° C. and preferably 40 to    45° C. which contain a lipophilic wax matrix,-   (b) emulsifiers and-   (c) crystallization regulators    and component (a) is then activated during wear by body heat or    friction.    Commercial Applications

Finally, the present invention relates to the use of aqueous,aqueous/alcoholic or water-free preparations containing components (a),(b) and (c) for finishing fibers and textile surfaces. In the mostsimple case, the preparations may be directly used for this purpose.Normally, however, they form part of more complex formulations which maybe, for example, heavy-duty or light-duty detergents, conditioners orsoftener concentrates, ironing aids, spray starches and the like. Thepercentage content of the mixtures according to the invention in theseend products may vary considerably and is generally between 1 and 25,preferably between 5 and 20 and more particularly.

The preparations produced in this way may contain other typicalauxiliaries and additives, for example anionic, nonionic, cationic,amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants, builders, co-builders, oil- andfat-dissolving components, bleaching agents, bleach activators,redeposition inhibitors, enzymes, enzyme stabilizers, opticalbrighteners, polymers, defoamers, disintegrators, perfumes, inorganicsalts, pigments and the like, as explained in more detail hereinafter.

Surfactants

So far as the choice of other anionic or nonionic surfactants, which beadditionally present in the formulation, is concerned, reference is madeto the foregoing observations. However, the combination of thepreparations with cationic and amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants isimportant, particularly when the fibers and textiles are to be finishedby conditioning, i.e. by addition of a fabric softener.

Typical examples of cationic surfactants are, in particular,tetraalkylammonium compounds such as, for example, dimethyl distearylammonium chloride or Hydroxyethyl Hydroxycetyl Dimmonium Chloride(Dehyquart E) and esterquats. Estersquats are, for example, quaternizedfatty acid triethanolamine ester salts corresponding to formula (III):

in which R³CO is an acyl group containing 6 to 22 carbon atoms, R⁴ andR⁵ independently of one another represent hydrogen or have the samemeaning as R³CO, R⁴ is an alkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms ora (CH₂CH₂O)_(m4)H group, m1, m2 and m3 together stand for 0 or numbersof 1 to 12, m4 is a number of 1 to 12 and Y is halide, alkyl sulfate oralkyl phosphate. Typical examples of esterquats which may be used inaccordance with the invention are products based on caproic acid,caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid,isostearic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, arachic acid,behenic acid and erucic acid and the technical mixtures thereof obtainedfor example in the pressure hydrolysis of natural fats and oils.Technical C_(12/18) cocofatty acids and, in particular, partlyhydrogenated C_(16/18) tallow or palm oil fatty acids and high-elaidicC_(16/18) fatty acid cuts are preferably used. To produce thequaternized esters, the fatty acids and the triethanolamine may be usedin a molar ratio of 1.1:1 to 3:1. With the performance properties of theesterquats in mind, a ratio of 1.2:1 to 2.2:1 and preferably 1.5:1 to1.9:1 has proved to be particularly advantageous. The preferredesterquats are technical mixtures of mono-, di- and triesters with anaverage degree of esterification of 1.5 to 1.9 and are derived fromtechnical C_(16/18) tallow or palm oil fatty acid (iodine value 0 to40). In performance terms, quaternized fatty acid triethanolamine estersalts corresponding to formula (III), in which R³CO is an acyl groupcontaining 16 to 18 carbon atoms, R⁴ has the same meaning as R³CO, R⁴ ishydrogen, R⁵ is a methyl group, m1, m2 and m3 stand for 0 and Y standsfor methyl sulfate, have proved to be particularly advantageous.

Other suitable esterquats besides the quaternized fatty acidtriethanolamine ester salts are quaternized ester salts of fatty acidswith diethanolalkyamines corresponding to formula (IV):

in which R⁷CO is an acyl group containing 6 to 22 carbon atoms, R⁸ ishydrogen or has the same meaning as R⁷CO, R⁹ and R¹⁰ independently ofone another are alkyl groups containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, m5 and m6together stand for 0 or numbers of 1 to 12 and Y stands for halide,alkyl sulfate or alkyl phosphate.

Finally, another group of suitable esterquats are the quaternized estersalts of fatty acids with 1,2-dihydroxypropyl dialkylaminescorresponding to formula (V):

in which R¹CO is an acyl group containing 6 to 22 carbon atoms, R¹² ishydrogen or has the same meaning as R¹¹CO, R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵independently of one another are alkyl groups containing 1 to 4 carbonatoms, m7 and m8 together stand for 0 or numbers of 1 to 12 and X standsfor halide, alkyl sulfate or alkyl phosphate. Finally, other suitableesterquats are substances in which the ester bond is replaced by anamide bond and which—preferably based on diethylenetriamine—correspondto formula (VI):

in which R¹⁶CO is an acyl group containing 6 to 22 carbon atoms, R¹⁷ ishydrogen or has the same meaning as R¹⁶CO, R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ independently ofone another are alkyl groups containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms and Y ishalide, alkyl sulfate or alkyl phosphate. Amide esterquats such as theseare commercially obtainable, for example, under the name of Incroquat®(Croda).

Examples of suitable amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants are alkylbetaines, alkyl amidobetaines, aminopropionates, aminoglycinates,imidazolinium betaines and sulfobetaines. Examples of suitable alkylbetaines are the carboxyalkylation products of secondary and, inparticular, tertiary amines such as, for example, carboxymethylationproducts of hexylmethyl amine, hexyldimethyl amine, octyidimethyl amine,decyldimethyl amine, dodecylmethyl amine, dodecyldimethyl amine,dodecylethylmethyl amine, C_(12/14) cocoalkyldimethyl amine,myristyldimethyl amine, cetyldimethyl amine, stearyidimethyl amine,stearylethylmethyl amine, oleyldimethyl amine, C_(16/18) tallowalkyldimethyl amine and technical mixtures thereof.

Also suitable are carboxyalkylation products of amidoamines, for examplereaction products of fatty acids containing 6 to 22 carbon atoms, namelycaproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid,palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, oleicacid, elaidic acid, petroselic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid,elaeostearic acid, arachic acid, gadoleic acid, behenic acid and erucicacid and technical mixtures thereof, with N,N-dimethylaminoethyl amine,N,N-dimethyl-aminopropyl amine, N,N-diethylaminoethyl amine andN,N-diethylaminopropyl amine which are condensed with sodiumchloroacetate. A condensation product of C_(8/18)-cocofattyacid-N,N-dimethylaminopropyl amide with sodium chloroacetate ispreferably used. Imidazolinium betaines may also be used. Thesecompounds are also known compounds which may be obtained, for example,by cyclizing condensation of 1 or 2 mol fatty acid with polyfunctionalamines such as, for example, aminoethyl ethanolamine, (AEEA) ordiethylenetriamine. The corresponding carboxyalkylation products aremixtures of different open-chain betaines. Typical examples arecondensation products of the fatty acids mentioned above with AEEA,preferably imidazolines based on lauric acid or—again—C_(12/14)cocofatty acid which are subsequently betainized with sodiumchloroacetate.

Builders

The laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents, cleaning compositionsand conditioners according to the invention may also contain additionalinorganic and organic builders, for example in quantities of 10 to 50and preferably 15 to 35% by weight, based on the particular product,suitable inorganic builders mainly being zeolites, crystalline layersilicates, amorphous silicates and—where permitted—also phosphates suchas, for example, tripolyphosphate. The quantity of co-builder should beincluded in the preferred quantities of phosphates.

Zeolites

-   -   The finely crystalline, synthetic zeolite containing bound water        often used as a detergent builder is preferably zeolite A and/or        zeolite P. Zeolite MAP® (Crosfield) is a particularly preferred        P-type zeolite. However, zeolite X and mixtures of A, X and/or P        and also Y are also suitable. A co-crystallized sodium/potassium        aluminium silicate of zeolite A and zeolite X commercially        available as VEGOBOND AX® (from Condea Augusta S.p.A.) is also        of particular interest. The zeolite may be used in the form of a        spray-dried powder or even in the form of an undried stabilized        suspension still moist from its production. Where the zeolite is        used in the form of a suspension, the suspension may contain        small additions of nonionic surfactants as stabilizers, for        example 1 to 3% by weight, based on zeolite, of ethoxylated        C₁₂₋₁₈ fatty alcohols containing 2 to 5 ethylene oxide groups,        C₁₂₋₁₄ fatty alcohols containing 4 to 5 ethylene oxide groups or        ethoxylated isotridecanols. Suitable zeolites have a mean        particle size of less than 10 μm (volume distribution, as        measured by the Coulter Counter method) and contain preferably        18 to 22% by weight and more preferably 20 to 22% by weight of        bound water.

Layer Silicates

-   -   Suitable substitutes or partial substitutes for phosphates and        zeolites are crystalline layer sodium silicates corresponding to        the general formula NaMSi_(x)O_(2x+1)AyH₂O, where M is sodium or        hydrogen, x is a number of 1.9 to 4 and y is a number of 0 to        20, preferred values for x being 2, 3 or 4. Preferred        crystalline layer silicates corresponding to the above formula        are those in which M is sodium and x assumes the value 2 or 3.        Both β- and δ-sodium disilicates Na₂Si₂O₅.yH₂O are particularly        preferred. The suitability of these layer silicates is not        limited to a particular composition or structural formula.        However, smectites, more especially bentonites, are preferred        for the purposes of the present invention. Suitable layer        silicates which belong to the group of water-swellable smectites        are, for example, those corresponding to the following general        formulae:        (OH)₄Si_(8-y)Al_(y)(Mg_(x)Al_(4-x))O₂₀ montmorillonite        (OH)₄Si_(8-y)Al_(y)(Mg_(6-z)Li_(z))O₂₀ hectorite        (OH)₄Si_(8-y)Al_(y)(Mg_(6-z)Al_(z))O₂₀ saponite    -    where x=0 to 4, y=0 to 2 and z=0 to 6. Small amounts of iron        may additionally be incorporated in the crystal lattice of the        layer silicates corresponding to the above formulae. In        addition, by virtue of their ion-exchanging properties, the        layer silicates may contain hydrogen, alkali metal and        alkaline-earth metal ions, more particularly Na⁺ and Ca²⁺. The        quantity of water of hydration is generally in the range from 8        to 20% by weight and is dependent upon the degree of swelling or        upon the treatment method. Layer silicates which, by virtue of        an alkali treatment, are largely free from calcium ions and        strongly colouring iron ions are preferably used.    -   Other preferred builders are amorphous sodium silicates with a        modulus (Na₂O:SiO₂ ratio) of 1:2 to 1:3.3, preferably 1:2 to        1:2.8 and more preferably 1:2 to 1:2.6 which dissolve with delay        and exhibit multiple wash cycle properties. The delay in        dissolution in relation to conventional amorphous sodium        silicates can have been obtained in various ways, for example by        surface treatment, compounding, compacting or by overdrying. In        the context of the invention, the term “amorphous” is also        understood to encompass “X-ray amorphous”. In other words, the        silicates do not produce any of the sharp X-ray reflexes typical        of crystalline substances in X-ray diffraction experiments, but        at best one or more maxima of the scattered X-radiation which        have a width of several degrees of the diffraction angle.        Particularly good builder properties may even be achieved where        the silicate particles produce crooked or even sharp diffraction        maxima in electron diffraction experiments. This may be        interpreted to mean that the products have microcrystalline        regions between 10 and a few hundred nm in size, values of up to        at most 50 nm and, more particularly, up to at most 20 nm being        preferred. Compacted amorphous silicates, compounded amorphous        silicates and overdried X-ray-amorphous silicates are        particularly preferred.

Phosphates

-   -   The generally known phosphates may of course also be used as        builders providing their use should not be avoided on ecological        grounds. The sodium salts of the orthophosphates, the        pyrophosphates and, in particular, the tripolyphosphates are        particularly suitable. Their content is generally no more than        25% by weight and preferably no more than 20% by weight, based        on the final composition. In some cases, it has been found that,        in combination with other builders, tripolyphosphates in        particular produce a synergistic improvement in multiple wash        cycle performance, even in small quantities of up to at most 10%        by weight, based on the final composition.        Co-builders

Useful organic builders suitable as co-builders are, for example, thepolycarboxylic acids usable in the form of their sodium salts, such ascitric acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, tartaric acid,sugar acids, aminocarboxylic acids, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA),providing its use is not ecologically unsafe, and mixtures thereof.Preferred salts are the salts of the polycarboxylic acids, such ascitric acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, tartaric acid,sugar acids and mixtures thereof. The acids per se may also be used.Besides their building effect, the acids also typically have theproperty of an acidifying component and, hence, also serve to establisha relatively low and mild pH value in detergents or cleaners. Citricacid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, gluconic acid andmixtures thereof are particularly mentioned in this regard.

Dextrins

-   -   Other suitable organic builders are dextrins, for example        oligomers or polymers of carbohydrates which may be obtained by        partial hydrolysis of starches. The hydrolysis may be carried        out by standard methods, for example acid- or enzyme-catalyzed        methods. The end products are preferably hydrolysis products        with average molecular weights of 400 to 500,000. A        polysaccharide with a dextrose equivalent (DE) of 0.5 to 40 and,        more particularly, 2 to 30 is preferred, the DE being an        accepted measure of the reducing effect of a polysaccharide by        comparison with dextrose which has a DE of 100. Both        maltodextrins with a DE of 3 to 20 and dry glucose syrups with a        DE of 20 to 37 and also so-called yellow dextrins and white        dextrins with relatively high molecular weights of 2,000 to        30,000 may be used. The oxidized derivatives of such dextrins        are their reaction products with oxidizing agents which are        capable of oxidizing at least one alcohol function of the        saccharide ring to the carboxylic acid function.

Succinates

-   -   Other suitable co-builders are oxydisuccinates and other        derivatives of disuccinates, preferably ethylenediamine        disuccinate. Glycerol disuccinates and glycerol trisuccinates        are also particularly preferred in this connection. The        quantities used in zeolite-containing and/or silicate-containing        formulations are from 3 to 15% by weight. Other useful organic        co-builders are, for example, acetylated hydroxycarboxylic acids        and salts thereof which may optionally be present in lactone        form and which contain at least 4 carbon atoms, at least one        hydroxy group and at most two acid groups.

Polycarboxylates

-   -   Suitable polymeric polycarboxylates are, for example, the sodium        salts of polyacrylic acid or polymethacrylic acid, for example        those with a relative molecular weight of 800 to 150,000 (based        on acid and measured against polystyrenesulfonic acid). Suitable        copolymeric polycarboxylates are, in particular, those of        acrylic acid with methacrylic acid and of acrylic acid or        methacrylic acid with maleic acid. Acrylic acid/maleic acid        copolymers containing 50 to 90% by weight of acrylic acid and 50        to 10% by weight of maleic acid have proved to be particularly        suitable. Their relative molecular weight, based on free acids,        is generally in the range from 5,000 to 200,000, preferably in        the range from 10,000 to 120,000 and more preferably in the        range from 50,000 to 100,000 (as measured against        polystyrenesulfonic acid). The (co)polymeric polycarboxylates        may be used either as powders or as aqueous solutions, 20 to 55%        by weight aqueous solutions being preferred. Granular polymers        are generally added to basic granules of one or more types in a        subsequent step. Also particularly preferred are biodegradable        polymers of more than two different monomer units. Other        preferred builders are polymeric aminodicarboxylic acids, salts        and precursors thereof. Polyaspartic acids and salts and        derivatives thereof are particularly preferred.

Polyacetals

-   -   Other suitable builders are polyacetals which may be obtained by        reaction of dialdehydes with polyol carboxylic acids containing        5 to 7 carbon atoms and at least three hydroxyl groups.        Preferred polyacetals are obtained from dialdehydes, such as        glyoxal, glutaraldehyde, terephthalaldehyde and mixtures thereof        and from polyol carboxylic acids, such as gluconic acid and/or        glucoheptonic acid.        Oil- and Fat-Dissolving Substances

In addition, the compositions may contain components with a positiveeffect on the removability of oil and fats from textiles by washing.Preferred oil- and fat-dissolving components include, for example,nonionic cellulose ethers, such as methyl cellulose and methylhydroxypropyl cellulose containing 15 to 30% by weight of methoxylgroups and 1 to 15% by weight of hydroxypropoxyl groups, based on thenonionic cellulose ether, and the polymers of phthalic acid and/orterephthalic acid known from the prior art or derivatives thereof, moreparticularly polymers of ethylene terephthalates and/or polyethyleneglycol terephthalates or anionically and/or nonionically modifiedderivatives thereof. Of these, the sulfonated derivatives of phthalicacid and terephthalic acid polymers are particularly preferred.

Bleaching Agents and Bleach Activators

Among the compounds yielding H₂O₂ in water which serve as bleachingagents, sodium perborate tetrahydrate and sodium perborate monohydrateare particularly important. Other useful bleaching agents are, forexample, sodium percarbonate, peroxypyrophosphates, citrate perhydratesand H₂O₂-yielding peracidic salts or peracids, such as perbenzoates,peroxophthalates, diperazelaic acid, phthaloiminoper acid ordiperdodecanedioic acid. The content of peroxy bleaching agents in thepreparations is preferably 5 to 35% by weight and more preferably up to30% by weight, perborate monohydrate or percarbonate advantageouslybeing used.

Suitable bleach activators are compounds which form aliphaticperoxocarboxylic acids containing preferably 1 to 10 carbon atoms andmore preferably 2 to 4 carbon atoms and/or optionally substitutedperbenzoic acid under perhydrolysis conditions. Substances bearing O—and/or N-acyl groups with the number of carbon atoms mentioned and/oroptionally substituted benzoyl groups are suitable. Preferred bleachactivators are polyacylated alkylenediamines, more particularlytetraacetyl ethylenediamine (TAED), acylated triazine derivatives, moreparticularly 1,5-diacetyl-2,4-dioxohexahydro-1,3,5-triazine (DADHT),acylated glycolurils, more particularly tetraacetyl glycoluril (TAGU),N-acylimides, more particularly N-nonanoyl succinimide (NOSI), acylatedphenol sulfonates, more particularly n-nonanoyl orisononanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (n- or iso-NOBS), carboxylic anhydrides,more particularly phthalic anhydride, acylated polyhydric alcohols, moreparticularly triacetin, ethylene glycol diacetate,2,5-diacetoxy-2,5-dihydrofuran, enol esters and acetylated sorbitol andmannitol and acylated sugar derivatives thereof, more particularlypentaacetyl glucose (PAG), pentaacetyl fructose, tetraacetyl xylose andoctaacetyl lactose, and acetylated, optionally N-alkylated glucamine andgluconolactone, and/or N-acylated lactams, for example N-benzoylcaprolactam. Bleach activators such as these are present in the usualquantities, preferably in quantities of 1% by weight to 10% by weightand more preferably in quantities of 2% by weight to 8% by weight, basedon the preparation as a whole. In addition to or instead of theconventional bleach activators mentioned above, sulfonimines and/orbleach-boosting transition metal salts or transition metal complexes mayalso be present as so-called bleach catalysts. Suitable transition metalcompounds include, in particular, manganese-, iron-, cobalt-, ruthenium-or molybdenum-salen complexes and N-analog compounds thereof,manganese-, iron-, cobalt-, ruthenium- or molybdenum-carbonyl complexes,manganese, iron, cobalt, ruthenium, molybdenum, titanium, vanadium andcopper complexes with nitrogen-containing tripod ligands and cobalt-,iron-, copper- and ruthenium-ammine complexes. Bleach-boostingtransition metal complexes, more particularly with the central atoms Mn,Fe, Co. Cu, Mo, V, Ti and/or Ru, are used in typical quantities,preferably in a quantity of up to 1% by weight, more preferably in aquantity of 0.0025% by weight to 0.25% by weight and most preferably ina quantity of 0.01% by weight to 0.1% by weight, based on thedetergent/cleaning composition as a whole.

Enzymes and Enzyme Stabilizers

Suitable enzymes are, in particular, enzymes from the class ofhydrolases, such as proteases, esterases, lipases or lipolytic enzymes,amylases, cellulases or other glycosyl hydrolases and mixtures thereof.All these hydrolases contribute to the removal of stains, such asprotein-containing, fat-containing or starch-containing stains, anddiscolouration in the washing process. Cellulases and other glycosylhydrolases can contribute towards colour retention and towardsincreasing fabric softness by removing pilling and microfibrils.Oxidoreductases may also be used for bleaching and for inhibiting dyetransfer. Enzymes obtained from bacterial strains or fungi, such asBacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Streptomyces griseus andHumicola insolens are particularly suitable. Proteases of the subtilisintype are preferably used, proteases obtained from Bacillus lentus beingparticularly preferred. Of particular interest in this regard are enzymemixtures, for example of protease and amylase or protease and lipase orlipolytic enzymes or protease and cellulase or of cellulase and lipaseor lipolytic enzymes or of protease, amylase and lipase or lipolyticenzymes or protease, lipase or lipolytic enzymes and cellulase, butespecially protease- and/or lipase-containing mixtures or mixtures withlipolytic enzymes. Examples of such lipolytic enzymes are the knowncutinases. Peroxidases or oxidases have also been successfully used insome cases. Suitable amylases include in particular α-amylases,isoamylases, pullanases and pectinases. Preferred cellulases arecellobio-hydrolases, endoglucanases and β-glucosidases, which are alsoknown as cellobiases, and mixtures thereof. Since the various cellulasetypes differ in their CMCase and avicelase activities, the desiredactivities can be established by mixing the cellulases in theappropriate ratios.

The enzymes may be adsorbed to supports and/or encapsulated in membranematerials to protect them against premature decomposition. Thepercentage content of enzymes, enzyme mixtures or enzyme granules maybe, for example, about 0.1 to 5% by weight and is preferably from 0.1 toabout 2% by weight.

In addition to the monohydric and polyhydric alcohols, the compositionsmay contain other enzyme stabilizers. For example, 0.5 to 1% by weightof sodium formate may be used. Proteases stabilized with soluble calciumsalts and having a calcium content of preferably about 1.2% by weight,based on the enzyme, may also be used. Apart from calcium salts,magnesium salts also serve as stabilizers. However, it is of particularadvantage to use boron compounds, for example boric acid, boron oxide,borax and other alkali metal borates, such as the salts of orthoboricacid (H₃BO₃), metaboric acid (HBO₂) and pyroboric acid (tetraboric acidH₂B₄O₇).

Redeposition Inhibitors

The function of redeposition inhibitors is to keep the soil detachedfrom the fibers suspended in the wash liquor and thus to prevent thesoil from being re-absorbed by the washing. Suitable redepositioninhibitors are water-soluble, generally organic colloids, for examplethe water-soluble salts of polymeric carboxylic acids, glue, gelatine,salts of ether carboxylic acids or ether sulfonic acids of starch orcellulose or salts of acidic sulfuric acid esters of cellulose orstarch. Water-soluble polyamides containing acidic groups are alsosuitable for this purpose. Soluble starch preparations and other starchproducts than those mentioned above, for example degraded starch,aldehyde starches, etc., may also be used. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone is alsosuitable. However, cellulose ethers, such as carboxymethyl cellulose(sodium salt), methyl cellulose, hydroxyalkyl cellulose, and mixedethers, such as methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl hydroxypropylcellulose, methyl carboxymethyl cellulose and mixtures thereof, andpolyvinyl pyrrolidone are also preferably used, for example inquantities of 0.1 to 5% by weight, based on the preparation.

Optical Brighteners

The preparations may contain derivatives of diaminostilbene disulfonicacid or alkali metal salts thereof as optical brighteners. Suitableoptical brighteners are, for example, salts of4,4′-bis-(2-anilino4-morpholino-1,3,5-triazinyl-6-amino)-stilbene-2,2′-disulfonicacid or compounds of similar structure which contain a diethanolaminogroup, a methylamino group and anilino group or a 2-methoxyethylaminogroup instead of the morpholino group. Brighteners of the substituteddiphenyl styryl type, for example alkali metal salts of4,4′-bis-(2-sulfostyryl)-diphenyl,4,4′-bis-(4-chloro-3-sulfostyryl)-diphenyl or4-(4-chlorostyryl)4′-(2-sulfostyryl)-diphenyl, may also be present.Mixtures of the brighteners mentioned may also be used. Uniformly whitegranules are obtained if, in addition to the usual brighteners in theusual quantities, for example between 0.1 and 0.5% by weight andpreferably between 0.1 and 0.3% by weight, the preparations also containsmall quantities, for example 10⁻⁶ to 10⁻³% by weight and preferablyaround 10⁻⁵% by weight, of a blue dye. A particularly preferred dye isTinolux® (a product of Ciba-Geigy).

Polymers

Suitable soil repellents are substances which preferably containethylene terephthalate and/or polyethylene glycol terephthalate groups,the molar ratio of ethylene terephthalate to polyethylene glycolterephthalate being in the range from 50:50 to 90:10. The molecularweight of the linking polyethylene glycol units is more particularly inthe range from 750 to 5,000, i.e. the degree of ethoxylation of thepolymers containing poly-ethylene glycol groups may be about 15 to 100.The polymers are distinguished by an average molecular weight of about5,000 to 200,000 and may have a block structure, but preferably have arandom structure. Preferred polymers are those with molar ethyleneterephthalate: polyethylene glycol terephthalate ratios of about 65:35to about 90:10 and preferably in the range from about 70:30 to 80:20.Other preferred polymers are those which contain linking polyethyleneglycol units with a molecular weight of 750 to 5,000 and preferably inthe range from 1,000 to about 3,000 and which have a molecular weight ofthe polymer of about 10,000 to about 50,000. Examples of commerciallyavailable polymers are the products Milease® T (ICI) or Repelotex® SRP 3(Rhône-Poulenc).

Defoamers

Wax-like compounds may be used as defoamers in accordance with thepresent invention. “Wax-like” compounds are understood to be compoundswhich have a melting point at atmospheric pressure above 25° C. (roomtemperature), preferably above 50° C. and more preferably above 70° C.The wax-like defoamers are substantially insoluble in water, i.e. theirsolubility in 100 g of water at 20° C. is less than 0.1% by weight. Inprinciple, any wax-like defoamers known from the prior art mayadditionally be present. Suitable wax-like compounds are, for example,bisamides, fatty alcohols, fatty acids, carboxylic acid esters ofmonohydric and polyhydric alcohols and paraffin waxes or mixturesthereof. Alternatively, the silicone compounds known for this purposemay of course also be used.

Paraffin Waxes

-   -   Suitable paraffin waxes are generally a complex mixture with no        clearly defined melting point. For characterization, its melting        range is normally determined by differential thermoanalysis        (DTA) and/or its solidification point is determined. The        solidification point is understood to be the temperature at        which the paraffin changes from the liquid state into the solid        state by slow cooling. Paraffins which are entirely liquid at        room temperature, i.e. paraffins with a solidification point        below 25° C., are not suitable for use in accordance with the        invention. Soft waxes which have a melting point of 35 to 50° C.        preferably include the group of petrolates and hydrogenation        products thereof. They are composed of microcrystalline        paraffins and up to 70% by weight of oil, have an ointment-like        to plastic, firm consistency and represent bitumen-free residues        from the processing of petroleum. Distillation residues        (petrolatum stock) of certain paraffin-based and mixed-base        crude oils further processed to Vaseline are particularly        preferred. Bitumen-free oil-like to solid hydrocarbons separated        from distillation residues of paraffin-based or mixed-base crude        oil and cylinder oil distillates are also preferred. They are of        semisolid, smooth, tacky to plastic and firm consistency and        have melting points of 50 to 70° C. These petrolates are the        most important starting materials for the production of        microwaxes. The solid hydrocarbons with melting points of 63 to        79° C. separated from high-viscosity, paraffin-containing        lubricating oil distillates during deparaffinization are also        suitable. These petrolates are mixtures of microcrystalline        waxes and high-melting n-paraffins. It is possible, for example,        to use paraffin wax mixtures of, for example, 26% by weight to        49% by weight of microcrystalline paraffin wax with a        solidification point of 62° C. to 90° C., 20% by weight to 49%        by weight of hard paraffin with a solidification point of 42° C.        to 56° C. and 2% by weight to 25% by weight of soft paraffin        with a solidification point of 35° C. to 40° C. Paraffins or        paraffin mixtures which solidify at temperatures of 30° C. to        90° C. are preferably used. It is important in this connection        to bear in mind that even paraffin wax mixtures which appear        solid at room temperature may contain different amounts of        liquid paraffin. In the paraffin waxes suitable for use in        accordance with the invention, this liquid component is as small        as possible and is preferably absent altogether. Thus,        particularly preferred paraffin wax mixtures have a liquid        component at 30° C. of less than 10% by weight and, more        particularly, from 2% by weight to 5% by weight, a liquid        component at 40° C. of less than 30% by weight, preferably from        5% by weight to 25% by weight and more preferably from 5% by        weight to 15% by weight, a liquid component at 60° C. of 30% by        weight to 60% by weight and preferably 40% by weight to 55% by        weight, a liquid component at 80° C. of 80% by weight to 100% by        weight and a liquid component at 90° C. of 100% by weight. In        particularly preferred paraffin wax mixtures, the temperature at        which a liquid component of 100% by weight of the paraffin wax        is reached is still below 85° C. and, more particularly, between        75° C. and 82° C. The paraffin waxes may be petrolatum,        microcrystalline waxes or hydrogenated or partly hydrogenated        paraffin waxes.

Bisamides

-   -   Bisamides suitable as defoamers are those derived from saturated        fatty acids containing 12 to 22 and preferably 14 to 18 carbon        atoms and from alkylenediamines containing 2 to 7 carbon atoms.        Suitable fatty acids are lauric acid, myristic acid, stearic        acid, arachic acid and behenic acid and the mixtures thereof        obtainable from natural fats or hydrogenated oils, such as        tallow or hydrogenated palm oil. Suitable diamines are, for        example, ethylenediamine, 1,3-propylenediamine,        tetramethylenediamine, pentamethylenediamine,        hexamethylenediamine, p-phenylenediamine and toluylenediamine.        Preferred diamines are ethylenediamine and hexamethylenediamine.        Particularly preferred bisamides are bis-myristoyl        ethylenediamine, bis-palmitoyl ethylenediamine, bis-stearoyl        ethylenediamine and mixtures thereof and the corresponding        derivatives of hexamethylenediamine.

Carboxylic Acid Esters

-   -   Suitable carboxylic acid esters as defoamers are derived from        carboxylic acids containing 12 to 28 carbon atoms. The esters in        question are, in particular, esters of behenic acid, stearic        acid, hydroxystearic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, myristic        acid and/or lauric acid. The alcohol moiety of the carboxylic        acid ester contains a monohydric or polyhydric alcohol        containing 1 to 28 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain.        Examples of suitable alcohols are behenyl alcohol, arachidyl        alcohol, cocoalcohol, 12-hydroxystearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol        and lauryl alcohol and ethylene glycol, glycerol, polyvinylvinyl        alcohol, sucrose, erythritol, pentaerythritol, sorbitan and/or        sorbitol. Preferred esters are esters of methanol, ethylene        glycol, glycerol and sorbitan, the acid moiety of the ester        being selected in particular from behenic acid, stearic acid,        oleic acid, palmitic acid or myristic acid. Suitable esters of        polyhydric alcohols are, for example, xylitol monopalmitate,        pentaerythritol mono-stearate, glycerol monostearate, ethylene        glycol monostearate and sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan        palmitate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan dilaurate, sorbitan        distearate, sorbitan dibehenate, sorbitan dioleate and mixed        tallow alkyl sorbitan monoesters and diesters. Suitable glycerol        esters are the mono-, di- or triesters of glycerol and the        carboxylic acids mentioned, the monoesters and diesters being        preferred. Glycerol monostearate, glycerol monooleate, glycerol        monopalmitate, glycerol monobehenate and glycerol distearate are        examples. Examples of suitable natural esters as defoamers are        beeswax, which mainly consists of the esters        CH₃(CH₂)₂₄COO(CH₂)₂₇CH₃ and CH₃(CH₂)₂₆COO(CH₂)₂₅CH₃, and        carnauba wax, carnauba wax being a mixture of carnauba acid        alkyl esters, often in combination with small amounts of free        carnauba acid, other long-chain acids, high molecular weight        alcohols and hydrocarbons.

Carboxylic Acids

-   -   Suitable carboxylic acids as another defoamer compound are, in        particular, behenic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, palmitic        acid, myristic acid and lauric acid and the mixtures thereof        obtainable from natural fats or optionally hydrogenated oils,        such as tallow or hydrogenated palm oil. Saturated fatty acids        containing 12 to 22 and, more particularly, 18 to 22 carbon        atoms are preferred. The corresponding fatty alcohols with the        same C chain length may also be used,

Dialkyl Ethers and Ketones

-   -   Dialkyl ethers may also be present as defoamers. The ethers may        have an asymmetrical or symmetrical structure, i.e. they may        contain two identical or different alkyl chains, preferably        containing 8 to 18 carbon atoms. Typical examples are di-n-octyl        ether, di-i-octyl ether and di-n-stearyl ether, dialkyl ethers        with a melting point above 25° C. and more particularly above        40° C. being particularly suitable. Other suitable defoamer        compounds are fatty ketones which may be obtained by the        relevant methods of preparative organic chemistry. They are        produced, for example, from carboxylic acid magnesium salts        which are pyrolyzed at temperatures above 300° C. with        elimination of carbon dioxide and water. Suitable fatty ketones        are produced by pyrolysis of the magnesium salts of lauric acid,        myristic acid, palmitic aid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid,        oleic acid, elaidic acid, petroselic acid, arachic acid,        gadoleic acid, behenic acid or erucic acid.

Fatty Acid Polyethylene Glycol Esters

-   -   Other suitable defoamers are fatty acid polyethylene glycol        esters which are preferably obtained by the homogeneously        base-catalyzed addition of ethylene oxide onto fatty acids. The        addition of ethylene oxide onto the fatty acids takes place in        particular in the presence of alkanolamines as catalysts. The        use of alkanolamines, especially triethanolamine, leads to        extremely selective ethoxylation of the fatty acids,        particularly where it is desired to produce compounds with a low        degree of ethoxylation. Within the group of fatty acid        polyethylene glycol esters, those with a melting point above        25° C. and more particularly above 40° C. are preferred.

Silicones

-   -   Suitable silicones in the context of the present invention are        typical organopolysiloxanes containing fine-particle silica        which, in turn, may even be silanized. Polydiorganosiloxanes        and, in particular, polydimethylsiloxanes known from the prior        art are particularly preferred. Suitable polydiorganosiloxanes        have a substantially linear chain and a degree of        oligomerization of 40 to 1,500. Examples of suitable        substituents are methyl, ethyl, propyl, isobutyl, tert. butyl        and phenyl. Amino-, fatty-acid-, alcohol-, polyether-, epoxy-,        fluorine-, glycoside- and/or alkyl-modified silicone compounds        which may be both liquid and resin-like at room temperature are        also suitable, as are simethicones, i.e. mixtures of        dimethicones with an average chain length of 200 to 300 dimethyl        siloxane units and hydrogenated silicates. Normally, the        silicones in general and the polydiorganosiloxanes in particular        contain fine-particle silica which may even be silanized.        Silica-containing dimethyl polysiloxanes are particularly        suitable for the purposes of the invention. The        polydiorganosiloxanes advantageously have a Brookfield viscosity        at 25° C. (spindle 1, 10 r.p.m.) of 5,000 mPas to 30,000 mPas        and, more particularly, 15,000 mPas to 25,000 mPas. The        silicones are preferably used in the form of aqueous emulsions.        The silicone is generally added with stirring to water. If        desired, thickeners known from the prior art may be added to the        aqueous silicone emulsions to increase their viscosity. These        known thickeners may be inorganic and/or organic materials,        particularly preferred thickeners being nonionic cellulose        ethers, such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and mixed        ethers, such as methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl        hydroxypropyl cellulose, methyl hydroxybutyl cellulose and        anionic carboxycellulose types, such as carboxymethyl cellulose        sodium salt (CMC). Particularly suitable thickeners are mixtures        of CMC and nonionic cellulose ethers in a ratio by weight of        80:20 to 40:60 and more particularly 75:25 to 60:40. In general,        concentrations of ca. 0.5 to 10 and more particularly 2.0 to 6%        by weight—expressed as thickener mixture and based on aqueous        silicone emulsion—are recommended, particularly where the        described thickener mixtures are added. The content of silicones        of the described type in the aqueous emulsions is advantageously        in the range from 5 to 50% by weight and more particularly in        the range from 20 to 40% by weight, expressed as silicone and        based on aqueous emulsion. In another advantageous embodiment,        the aqueous silicone solutions contain starch from natural        sources, for example from rice, potatoes, corn and wheat, as        thickener. The starch is advantageously present in quantities of        0.1 to 50% by weight, based on silicone emulsion, and more        particularly in admixture with the already described thickeners        of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and a nonionic cellulose ether        in the quantities already mentioned. The aqueous silicone        emulsions are preferably prepared by preswelling the thickeners        present, if any, before adding the silicones. The silicones are        preferably incorporated using effective mixers and stirrers.    -   Within the group of wax-like defoamers, the described paraffin        waxes—in a particularly preferred embodiment—are used either on        their own as wax-like defoamers or in admixture with one of the        other wax-like defoamers, the percentage content of the paraffin        waxes in the mixture preferably exceeding 50% by weight, based        on the wax-like defoamer mixture. If necessary, the paraffin        waxes may be applied to supports. Suitable support materials in        the context of the present invention are any known inorganic        and/or organic support materials. Examples of typical inorganic        support materials are alkali metal carbonates, alumosilicates,        water-soluble layer silicates, alkali metal silicates, alkali        metal sulfates, for example sodium sulfate, and alkali metal        phosphates. The alkali metal silicates are preferably a compound        with a molar ratio of alkali metal oxide to SiO₂ of 1:1.5 to        1:3.5. The use of silicates such as these results in        particularly good particle properties, more particularly high        abrasion resistance and at the same time a high dissolving rate        in water. Alumosilicates as a support material include, in        particular, the zeolites, for example zeolite NaA and NaX. The        compounds described as water-soluble layer silicates include,        for example, amorphous or crystalline waterglass. Silicates        commercially available as Aerosil® or Sipernat® may also be        used. Suitable organic carrier materials are, for example,        film-forming polymers, for example polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl        pyrrolidones, poly(meth)acrylates, polycarboxylates, cellulose        derivatives and starch. Suitable cellulose ethers are, in        particular, alkali metal carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl        cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose and so-called        cellulose mixed ethers, for example methyl hydroxyethyl        cellulose and methyl hydroxypropyl cellulose, and mixtures        thereof. Particularly suitable mixtures are mixtures of sodium        carboxymethyl cellulose and methyl cellulose, the carboxymethyl        cellulose normally having a degree of substitution of 0.5 to 0.8        carboxymethyl groups per anhydroglucose unit while the methyl        cellulose has a degree of substitution of 1.2 to 2 methyl groups        per anhydroglucose unit. The mixtures preferably contain alkali        metal carboxymethyl cellulose and nonionic cellulose ether in        ratios by weight of 80:20 to 40:60 and, more particularly, 75:25        to 50:50. Another suitable support is native starch which is        made up of amylose and amylopectin. Native starch is starch        obtainable as an extract from natural sources, for example from        rice, potatoes, corn and wheat. Native starch is a standard        commercial product and is therefore readily available. Suitable        support materials are individual compounds or several of the        compounds mentioned above selected in particular from the group        of alkali metal carbonates, alkali metal sulfates, alkali metal        phosphates, zeolites, water-soluble layer silicates, alkali        metal silicates, polycarboxylates, cellulose ethers,        polyacrylate/polymethacrylate and starch. Mixtures of alkali        metal carbonates, more particularly sodium carbonate, alkali        metal silicates, more particularly sodium silicate, alkali metal        sulfates, more particularly sodium sulfate, and zeolites are        particularly suitable.        Disintegrators

The solid preparations may additionally contain disintegrators.Disintegrators are substances which are added to the shaped bodies toaccelerate their disintegration on contact with water. These substancesare capable of undergoing an increase in volume on contact with water sothat, on the one hand, their own volume is increased (swelling) and, onthe other hand, a pressure can be generated through the release of gaseswhich causes the tablet to disintegrate into relatively small particles.Well-known disintegrators are, for example, carbonate/citric acidsystems, although other organic acids may also be used. Swellingdisintegration aids are, for example, synthetic polymers, such aspolyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), or natural polymers and modified naturalsubstances, such as cellulose and starch and derivatives thereof,alginates or casein derivatives. According to the invention, preferreddisintegrators are cellulose-based disintegrators. Pure cellulose hasthe formal empirical composition (C₆H₁₀O₅)_(n) and, formally, is aβ-1,4-polyacetal of cellobiose which, in turn, is made up of twomolecules of glucose. Suitable celluloses consist of ca. 500 to 5,000glucose units and, accordingly, have average molecular weights of 50,000to 500,000. According to the invention, cellulose derivatives obtainablefrom cellulose by polymer-analog reactions may also be used ascellulose-based disintegrators. These chemically modified cellulosesinclude, for example, products of esterification or etherificationreactions in which hydroxy hydrogen atoms have been substituted.However, celluloses in which the hydroxy groups have been replaced byfunctional groups that are not attached by an oxygen atom may also beused as cellulose derivatives. The group of cellulose derivativesincludes, for example, alkali metal celluloses, carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC), cellulose esters and ethers and aminocelluloses. The cellulosederivatives mentioned are preferably not used on their own, but ratherin the form of a mixture with cellulose as cellulose-baseddisintegrators. The content of cellulose derivatives in mixtures such asthese is preferably below 50% by weight and more preferably below 20% byweight, based on the cellulose-based disintegrator. In one particularlypreferred embodiment, pure cellulose free from cellulose derivatives isused as the cellulose-based disintegrator. Microcrystalline cellulosemay be used as another cellulose-based disintegration aid or as part ofsuch a component. This microcrystalline cellulose is obtained by partialhydrolysis of celluloses under conditions which only attack andcompletely dissolve the amorphous regions (ca. 30% of the totalcellulose mass) of the celluloses, but leave the crystalline regions(ca. 70%) undamaged. Subsequent de-aggregation of the microfinecelluloses formed by hydrolysis provides the microcrystalline celluloseswhich have primary particle sizes of ca. 5 μm and which can becompacted, for example, to granules with a mean particle size of 200 μm.Viewed macroscopically, the disintegrators may be homogeneouslydistributed in the granules although, when observed under a microscope,they form zones of increased concentration due to their production.Disintegrators which may be present in accordance with the inventionsuch as, for example, Kollidon, alginic acid and alkali metal saltsthereof, amorphous or even partly crystalline layer silicates(bentonites), polyacrylates, polyethylene glycols. The preparations maycontain the disintegrators in quantities of 0.1 to 25% by weight,preferably 1 to 20% by weight and more particularly 5 to 15% by weight,based on the shaped bodies.

Perfumes

Suitable perfume oils or perfumes include individual perfume compounds,for example synthetic products of the ester, ether, aldehyde, ketone,alcohol and hydrocarbon type. Perfume compounds of the ester type are,for example, benzyl acetate, phenoxyethyl isobutyrate, p-tert.butylcyclohexyl acetate, linalyl acetate, dimethyl benzyl carbinyl acetate,phenyl ethyl acetate, linalyl benzoate, benzyl formate, ethyl methylphenyl glycinate, allyl cyclohexyl propionate, styrallyl propionate andbenzyl salicylate. The ethers include, for example, benzyl ethyl ether;the aldehydes include, for example, the linear alkanals containing 8 to18 carbon atoms, citral, citronellal, citronellyloxyacetaldehyde,cyclamen aldehyde, hydroxycitronellal, lilial and bourgeonal; theketones include, for example, the ionones, α-isomethyl ionone and methylcedryl ketone; the alcohols include anethol, citronellol, eugenol,geraniol, linalool, phenyl ethyl alcohol and terpineol and thehydrocarbons include, above all, the terpenes, such as limonene andpinene. However, mixtures of various perfumes which together produce anattractive perfume note are preferably used. Perfume oils such as thesemay also contain natural perfume mixtures obtainable from vegetablesources, for example pine, citrus, jasmine, patchouli, rose orylang-ylang oil. Also suitable are clary oil, camomile oil, clove oil,melissa oil, mint oil, cinnamon leaf oil, lime blossom oil, juniperberry oil, vetiver oil, olibanum oil, galbanum oil and ladanum oil andorange blossom oil, neroli oil, orange peel oil and sandalwood oil. Theperfumes may be directly incorporated in the preparations according tothe invention, although it can also be of advantage to apply theperfumes to supports which strengthen the adherence of the perfume tothe washing and which provide the textiles with a long-lasting fragrancethrough a slower release of the perfume. Suitable support materials are,for example, cyclodextrins, the cyclodextrin/perfume complexesoptionally being coated with other auxiliaries

Inorganic Salts

Other suitable ingredients of the preparations are water-solubleinorganic salts, such as bicarbonates, carbonates, amorphous silicates,normal water glasses with no pronounced builder properties or mixturesthereof. One particular embodiment is characterized by the use of alkalimetal carbonate and/or amorphous alkali metal silicate, above all sodiumsilicate with a molar Na₂O:SiO₂ ratio of 1:1 to 1:4.5 and preferably 1:2to 1:3.5. The sodium carbonate content of the final preparations ispreferably up to 40% by weight and advantageously from 2 to 35% byweight. The content of sodium silicate (without particular buildingproperties) in the preparations is generally up to 10% by weight andpreferably between 1 and 8% by weight.

The preparations may also contain sodium sulfate, for example, inquantities of 0 to 10% by weight and more particularly 1 to 5% byweight, based on the preparation, as a filler.

EXAMPLES

A number of formulations are presented by way of example in Table 1below.

TABLE 1 Examples for textile treatment preparations (all quantities in %by weight) Composition (INCI) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Lamesoft ® FO 10.0 15.08.0 10.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 10.0 Glycol Distearate (and) Coco Glucosides (and)Glyceryl Oleate (and) Glyceryl Stearate Texapon ® LS 35 14.5 — 37.0 1.4— — — — Sodium Lauryl Myristyl Sulfate Texapon ® 842 — 5.9 — — — — — —Sodium Octyl Sulfate Texapon ® SP 100 — 20.0 — — — — — — Surfactantblend Eumulgin ® WO 7 10.0 — 2.0 — — — — — Oleth-7 Emulgade ® CM — — — —— 10.0 10.0 — Nonionic Emulsifier Blend Dehydol ® LT 7 — — — 10.0 — — —— Laureth-7 Glucopon ® 600 CS UP 11.0 — 10.0 6.0 — — — — Coco GlucosidesDehyquart ® AU 46 — — — 7.0 — — — — Bis(acyloxyethyl) hydroxyethylmethyl ammononium methosulfate Edenor ® PK 18 05 4.0 — — — — — — — Palmkernel fatty acid Ethanol 5.0 — — — — — — — Propylene-1,2-glycol 5.0 — —— — — — — Glycerol — — — — — — — 5.0 Sodium Tripolyphosphate — 6.0 — — —— — — Triethanolamine 5.0 — — — — — — — Starch — — — — 40.0 30.0 20.010.0 Water to 100 Composition (INCI) 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Lamesoft ®FO 5.0 10.0 18.0 2.0 5.0 10.0 5.0 10.0 Glycol Distearate (and) CocoGlucosides (and) Glyceryl Oleate (and) Glyceryl Stearate Dehyquart ® AU46 — — — — 5.0 8.0 11.0 20.0 Bis(acyloxyethyl) hydroxyethyl methylammononium methosulfate Emulgade ® CM 5.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 — — — —Nonionic Emulsifier Blend Belfasin ® CCE 0.5 0.5 — — — — — — HDPolyethylen Dispersion Polyquart ® Ampho — — 2.0 2.0 — — — —Polyacrylate Aloe vera 2.0 — — 2.0 - 2.0 — 2.0 Glycerol — — — — 2.0 — —— Magnesium chloride — — — — — — 0.6 0.6 Water to 100 (1–4) Light-dutydetergent, (5–8) spray starch (9–12) Ironing spray, (13–14) Softener,(15–16) Softener concentrate

1. A method for finishing textile fibers, textile yarns, or othertextiles (FYT) in order to impart a sensory effect to said textilesduring use which comprises contacting the FYT with a compositioncomprising: (a) 15 to 30% by weight of a mixture of waxes with meltingpoints of 35 to 60° C. which mixture contains a lipophilic wax matrix;(b) 10 to 20% by weight of emulsifiers comprising at least one memberselected from the group consisting of alkyl oligoglycosides, alkenyloligoglycosides and alkyl ether sulfates; and (c) 1 to 10% by weight ofa crystallization regulator comprising a partial ester of a C₁₂₋₂₂ fattyacid with at least one alcohol selected from the group consisting ofglycerol, polyglycerol and sorbitan, wherein, the quantities shown addup to 100% by weight with water and typical auxiliaries and additivesand, wherein, the mean particle size of the wax crystals present thereinis not greater than 6 μm.
 2. The methods claimed in claim 1, wherein,component (a) comprises at least one member selected from the groupconsisting of monoesters of C₆₋₂₂ fatty acids with C₂₋₁₅ polyolscontaining at least two hydroxyl groups and diesters of C₆₋₂₂ fattyacids with C₂₋₁₅ polyols containing at least two hydroxyl groups.
 3. Themethod claimed in claim 1, wherein, the composition contains an ester ofat least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of caproicacid, caprylic acid, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, capric acid, lauric acid,isotridecanoic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid,stearic acid, isostearic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, petroselicacid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, elaeostearic acid, arachic acid,gadoleic acid, behenic acid and erucic acid and technical mixturesthereof.
 4. The method claimed in claim 2, wherein, the compositioncontains at least one ester of a polyol selected from the groupconsisting of glycerol, alkylene glycols, technical oligoglycerolmixtures with a degree of self-condensation of 1.5 to 10, methylolcompounds and lower alkyl glucosides.
 5. The method claimed in claim 2,wherein, the composition contains at least one ester selected from thegroup consisting of monoesters of saturated C₁₆₋₁₈ fatty acids with oneof ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, trimethylol propane orpentaerythritol and diesters of saturated C16-18 fatty acids withethylene glycol, propylene, trimethylol propane or pentaerythritol. 6.The method claimed in claim 1, wherein, the composition contains ascomponent (a) at least one fatty compound selected from the groupconsisting of saturated fatty alcohols, fatty ketones, fatty ethers,fatty carbonates, fatty acid alkyl esters, wherein, the fatty groupcontains at least 12 carbon atoms.
 7. The method claimed in claim 1,wherein, the composition contains a paraffin as component (a).
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein, the composition comprises as component (c) anonionic surfactant with an HLB value of not higher than
 9. 9. Themethod as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the composition comprises asolids content of 40 to 50% by weight.
 10. The method of claim 2,wherein, the composition contains an ester of at least one fatty acidselected from the group consisting of caproic acid, caprylic acid,2-ethylhexanoic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, isotridecanoic acid,myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, isostearicacid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, petroselic acid, linoleic acid,linolenic acid, elaeostearic acid, arachic acid, gadoleic acid, behenicacid and erucic acid and technical mixtures thereof.
 11. The methodclaimed of claim 3, wherein, the composition contains at least one esterof a polyol selected from the group consisting of glycerol, alkyleneglycols, technical oligoglycerol mixtures with a degree ofself-condensation of 1.5 to 10, methylol compounds and lower alkylglucosides.
 12. The method claimed in claim 3, wherein, the compositioncontains at least one ester selected from the group consisting ofmonoesters of saturated C₁₆₋₁₈ fatty acids with one of ethylene glycol,propylene glycol, trimethylol propane or pentaerythritol and diesters ofsaturated C6-18 fatty acids with ethylene glycol, propylene, trimethylolpropane or pentaerythritol.
 13. The method claimed in claim 4, wherein,the composition contains at least one ester selected from the groupconsisting of monoesters of saturated C₁₆₋₁₈ fatty acids with one ofethylene glycol, propylene glycol, trimethylol propane orpentaerythritol and diesters of saturated C6-18 fatty acids withethylene glycol, propylene, trimethylol propane or pentaerythritol. 14.The method claimed in claim 2, wherein, the composition contains ascomponent (a) at least one fatty compound selected from the groupconsisting of saturated fatty alcohols, fatty ketones, fatty ethers,fatty carbonates, fatty acid alkyl esters, wherein the fatty groupcontains at least 12 carbon atoms.
 15. The method claimed in claim 3,wherein, the composition contains as component (a) at least one fattycompound selected from the group consisting of saturated fatty alcohols,fatty ketones, fatty ethers, fatty carbonates, fatty acid alkyl esters,wherein the fatty group contains at least 12 carbon atoms.
 16. Themethod claimed in claim 4, wherein, the composition contains ascomponent (a) at least one fatty compound selected from the groupconsisting of saturated fatty alcohols, fatty ketones, fatty ethers,fatty carbonates, fatty acid alkyl esters, wherein the fatty groupcontains at least 12 carbon atoms.
 17. The method claimed in claim 5,wherein, the composition contains as component (a) at least one fattycompound selected from the group consisting of saturated fatty alcohols,fatty ketones, fatty ethers, fatty carbonates, fatty acid alkyl esters,wherein the fatty group contains at least 12 carbon atoms.
 18. Themethod claimed in claim 6, wherein, the composition contains a paraffinas component (a).
 19. The method of claim 2, wherein, the compositioncomprises as component (c) a nonionic surfactant with an HLB value ofnot higher than
 9. 20. The method of claim 3, wherein, the compositioncomprises as component (c) a nonionic surfactant with an HLB value ofnot higher than 9.